How to Make Cold Brew at Home: A Simple 3-Step Guide

Cold brew looks fancy. It isn't. If you own a jar and a fridge, you can make a big, smooth batch at home that lasts you most of the week.

Here's how we do it. Short version: coarse grounds, cold water, and time.

What Is Cold Brew, Really?

Cold brew is coffee steeped in cool water for many hours instead of brewed with hot water in minutes. No heat means no rush. The result tastes mellow, rich and easygoing, and it's wonderful over ice.

It's not the same as iced coffee. Iced coffee is regular hot coffee poured over ice. Cold brew never sees a kettle at all.

The 3-Step Method

What you need: a large jar or pitcher, coarse ground coffee, cold filtered water, and a fine strainer (a paper coffee filter or clean cloth makes it extra clear).

Step 1: Measure. A good starting point is 1 part coffee to 4 parts water by weight for a strong concentrate you'll dilute later. For example, 100 g of coffee to 400 g of water. Prefer to sip it as-is? Try 1 part coffee to 8 parts water.

Step 2: Steep. Stir the grounds into the water until everything is wet. Cover the jar and leave it on the counter or in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours. Closer to 12 tastes lighter. Closer to 18 tastes bolder.

Step 3: Strain. Pour through your strainer into a clean bottle. Take your time, because the slow drip gives the clearest cup. Keep it in the fridge and enjoy within about a week.

To serve, fill a glass with ice, pour in your concentrate, and add cold water or milk until it tastes right to you. Start half and half, then adjust.

Pick the Right Coffee (and Grind)

Grind size matters more than anything else here. Too fine and your cold brew turns muddy and bitter. Coarse grounds, about the size of coarse sea salt, give a clean, smooth cup and are easy to strain.

That's why we offer our Cold Brew Coffee. It's a dark French roast, ground very coarse and blended just for steeping. It's just coffee, roasted to order and shipped fresh, so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to the jar.

Want a little twist? Cold brew is a great base for flavors too. Browse our flavored coffees and try a coarse grind of something like Caramel or Hazelnut for a sweet, nutty glass.

Quick Tips for Better Batches

• Use filtered water if your tap water has a strong taste.
• Stir once at the start, then leave it alone.
• Store in a sealed container so it doesn't pick up fridge smells.
• Make a little extra. You'll want it by Wednesday.

That's it. Set it up tonight, and tomorrow morning is sorted. Slow drip, bold life.